Larceny, Robbery and Burglary: What are the Differences?

While larceny, robbery and burglary are all related to the crime of stealing in one way or another, each one is a distinctly different offense.

Larceny, or theft, is simply the unauthorized taking of someone else’s physical property without the intention of returning it.

The criminal offense of robbery also involves stealing, but in this case, the theft is accomplished through the use of physical force against a victim, or by threatening a victim to turn over his or her property.

While burglary is commonly thought of as another form of theft, it is actually nothing more than entering a home, business, or other structure without permission and with the intent to commit an additional crime — the additional crime doesn’t need to be completed for burglary to have taken place. Theft is frequently the crime committed along with the burglary.

Since robbery involves the use of physical force against another person and burglary means to enter a structure without permission, both are always considered very serious crimes by the legal system and offenders face severe punishment.

The seriousness of the crime of larceny, however, varies according to the value of the property taken and, to a lesser extent, the circumstances of the theft. In Florida, most thefts of property valued below $300 are termed “petit” and are misdemeanors, while “grand theft” is a felony offense involving property of higher value and/or of a more serious nature.

If you are charged with Larceny, robbery or burglary in the Fort Myers area, the best time to call an attorney is as soon as possible. You will especially want to have retained a Fort Myers criminal defense attorney before your arraignment, when you appear in court to hear the charges against you and enter a plea. The attorneys in the Law Office of Miguel C. Fernández III P.A., criminal attorney Fort Myers, can not only help you understand the charges against you, but the possible punishment you may receive if convicted, and then he or she will advise you on your best course of action.